RIT to Host Free Speech Panel Discussion April 25

Discussion to serve as a follow-up to comedian Lisa Lampanelliís performance

The Rochester Institute of Technology community will discuss the role of free speech on campus during a panel discussion at 5 p.m. April 25 in the Student Alumni Unionís Ingle Auditorium. The conversation will focus on what, if any, limitations should be placed on free speech at a private educational institution and where the line between free speech and censorship should be drawn. The panelists include:

Bobby Colon, RITís chief legal officer

Patricia Durr, associate professor in the National Technical Institute for the Deafís Department of Cultural and Creative Studies

The dialogue, part of RITís Diversity Week, will serve as a follow-up to comedian Lisa Lampanelliís performance at RIT last month. Lampanelli upset portions of the RIT community after making derogatory remarks toward the deaf community on a local radio show.

After consulting with student leaders, RIT President Albert Simone decided to allow Lampanelliís performance to continue as scheduled. However, he promised this panel discussion as a means to discuss the type of speech that is acceptable on campus.